Electrically heated steam generator and power unit



April 10, l 951 J. w. picKEY ELECTRICALLY-HEATED STEAM GENERATOR AND POWER UNIT 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 2, 1945 WITNESS l N1/5511012. n/m M019 ATTORNEY @Mr M MQW@ J. W. DICKEY April 10, 1951 ELECTRICALLY-HEATED STEAM GENERATOR AND POWER UNIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 2, "1945 diag/,-

* INVENTOR. ,JM/L l/Cz WITNESS l 72%. (D

April l0, 1951 1 w D|KEY v 2,548,708

ELECTRICALLY-HEATED STEAM GENERATOR AND POWER UNIT Filed Aug. 2, 1945 4 Sheqts-Sheet. 5

WITNESS gm. E 7er/7% A oRNEY April 10, 1951 J. w. DlcKEY 2,548,708

ELECTRICALLY-HEATED STEAM GENERATOR AND POWER UNIT Filed Aug. 2, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 5gg ms MIMIF 136 153 A L l 116 "W123 125k y Il i I f i 9 1NVENT 0R.

` 0M //OZ WITNESS 5 BY 6kg? mE/iff A TORNE Y Patented Apr. 10, 1951 ELECTRICALLY HEATED STEAM GENER- ATOR AND POWER UNIT John W. Dickey, Elmira, N. Y., assigner to Bendix Aviation Corporation, South Bend, Ind., a corporation of Delaware Application August 2, 1945, Serial No. 608,539

11l Claims. (Cl. 60-25) TheY present invention relates to a steam actuated motor and more particularly to a device for transforming electrical energy into mechanical force..

There are many types of movable devices requiring` mechanical force for their operation which it would be desirable to operate by a power unit, but the cost, weight and/ or bulk of an electrical motor, gearing, etc. is restrictive if not prohibitive. Thus itr would be very desirable to operate windows, particularly in automobiles or where the windows are heavy or inaccessible; closures such as vault doors, garage doors or bomb bay doors, automobile jacks, etc. by power units having suitable characteristics and capable of remote control. However, considerations of economy,lspace and weight have been effective deterrents. y

It is an object of the present invention to provide a power unit which is capable of exerting adequate force f'or the intended purpose while being of small, light', simple and: economical construction.

`It is another object to provide such a device which is adapted for remote or automatic control.

It is a further object to provide such a device which is noisele'ss and free from vibration.

It is another object to provide such a device which may easily be adapted for operation by any common form of electrical energy.

It is another object to provide such va device which is especially adaptable for all uses in which the power stroke ofthe device moves the load in one direction, the return stroke being accomplishedf with comparatively light resistance or by means of' the reaction oithe load.

Further objects and advantages will be' apparent'from the following description taken in -connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view o1` a simple form of steam actuated motor embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is` a similar view showing the actuated motor near the end of -its power stroke;

Fig. 3 is a detail'in elevation of' an electrode constituting an element'of the electrical heating means;

- Fig. 4 is a sectional View of a steam actuated motor embodying hydraulic transmission mechamsin;

Fig. 5- is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig: 4i

` Fig. 6. is a detail ofthe end closure of the container showing .the coolingns;

of a system forfraising and' lowering aslidable member such as a window, utilizing a steam actuated motor; Y j

Fig. l0 is a detail' on an enlarged scale of the controlling mechanism for the` window illustrated in Fig. 9, the parts being shown inY normal posi- Fig. 11 is a viewfsimilar to Fig. 10 showing the parts in the positions assumed during the lowering of the window; y 1

Fig. 12 is a semi-diagrammatic showing of a remote controlling system` for a s'wing-ingmember such as a hinged skylight window; u y

Fig. 13 is asectional View of a steamvactuated motor system adapted fori use as a pump, the parts being shown in their positions at the start of the power stroke;

Fig.' 14 is a View similar to Fig. 13 showing the parts at the endl of' the power stroke; and

Fig. 15 is a Sectional detail showing the method of mounting the heater element for the boiler in the wall of the container.

In 1 of the drawing, there is illustrated a cylindrical containerV l having fixed therein near one end an elastic septum or partition Z dividing the container into a small chamber and a large chamber. A small amount ofa suitable vaporizible liquid 3 is placed inthe small chamber, and electrical heating means are provided for boiling the liquid so as to form steam. The liquid may be heated either by a' wire resistance element immersed therein, or when a conductive liquid is usedrit may be heatedv by passing a current therethrough. This latter method has been found 'to operate best with alternating' current since this avoids .the generation of Xed gases. Various liquids have been found suitable for the purpose. For eXmple, a solution 'of sodium carbonate` in water has been found to be very satisfactory, particularly in View of its non-corrosive nature, and its resistance to freezing. As here shown, means are provided for conducting current throughv the liquid 3 to boil it. This means comprises an electrical circuit including any suitable source of alternatingcurrent, not illustrated, which is conveyed to the motor by means of conductors 4 and 5, one of said conductors including Aa manually operable switch 6. The conductor 4 is connected to a binding post 1 fixed to a cap 8 forming the end wall of the container I. The conductor 'is attached to a binding post 9 which traverses the cap 8 and is insulated therefrom as indicated at II. The binding post 9 connects with a discn shaped perforated electrode I2 (Fig. 3), the .pe-

riphery of which is molded in a ring of insulating material I3 clamped between the edge of th septum 2 and the cap 8.

A piston I4 is arranged to slide loosely within the container I and is provided with a rod I5 which traverses a cylinder head IS threaded on the body of the containenwhich rod is adapted to operate any suitable load. If the device is used to raise a weight or to overcome a yielding resistance, the piston will of course be returned to idle position automatically. In other cases a spring I1 may be employed to yieldingly hold the'piston in contact with the septum 2.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, closure of the manual switch l completes the circuit through the binding post 9, the electrode I2, the liquid 3 and the cap 8 to the binding post 1. The resistance of the liquid is such that it rapidly becomes heated to its boiling point, thus quickly producing steam which stretches the septum 2 and moves the piston I4 as shown in Fig; 2. When the heating current is interrupted, the boiling of the liquid ceases and the steam rapidly condenses thus allowing the piston to return to its idle position.

It will be understood that whether the heating of the liquid is accomplished by using the liquid itself as the resistor, or'by a suitable metallic resistor traversing the liquid, as above set forth, the small quantity of liquid involved causes the heating operation to take place quite rapidly so that the generation of steam is almost instantaneous.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawing, the basic unit disclosed in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is employed to actuate a piston hydraulically whereby the device to be operated may be at any convenient distance from the motor and if desired a plurality of devices may be operated by one motor. As shown in Fig. 4, a container I8 of generally cylindrical shape has a septum or elastic partition I9 mounted near one end thereof so as to divide the interior of the container into a small chamber 2I and a large chamber 22. The small chamber is closed by an end plate 23 which may be provided with cooling fins 24 to accelerate the cycling of the device. A small amount of vaporizable liquid 25 is placed in the chamber 2l, and a discshaped perforated electrode 26 is mounted in said chamber so as to be in contact with the liquid 25. The electrode is provided with an insulating mounting as indicated at 21, and is connected to an insulated binding post 281 which serves as an attachment for a feed line 29. A second binding post 3l is mounted in the wall of the chamber 2| and serves for attachment of a conductor 32 which completes the heating circuit through a manually operable switch 33.

The electrical circuit for the heater is best illustrated in Fig. 7 which shows a source of electrical energy such as a battery 39 connected through the switch 33 and lead 29 to thehinding post 28. As above set forth, the electrical current traverses the liquid between the electrode 28 and the casing 23, returning to the battery through the flexible strip 42, contacts 4I and 39, and lead 32.

The liquid 25 is ofthe conducting type described whereby it serves as its own heating resistance, the passage of current therethrough causing almost instantaneous ebullition thereof.

The large chamber 22 is filled with a suitable incompressible liquid such as the liquid used for the hydraulic operation of automotive brakes. This chamber is connected by a conduit 34 to a cylinder 35 in which `is mounted a slidable piston 36 arranged to be actuated by hydraulic pressure in the cylinder and to transmit the force thereof through a piston rod 31 to any desired load device. It will be understood that the conduit 34 may be in the form of a tube of any desired length and that a plurality of load devices may be simultaneously actuated by suitably manifolding the connecting means from the chamber 22 to the actuating cylinders.

Means are preferably provided for automatically limiting the pressure developed in the steam actuator. As best shown in Fig. 5, this is here accomplished by insulating the binding post 3I as indicated at 38, and providing a xed contact plate 39 which is normally engaged by a movable contact 4I mounted on the end of a flexible strip 42 which is connected as shown at 43 to the wall of the chamber 2|. A pin 44 is slidably mounted in an opening through the wall of chamber 22 in position to engage the contact strip 42. Suitable flexible packing 45 is provided for preventing the escape of the hydraulic uid around the pin 44 while permitting its longitudinal movement responsive to the pressure within the chamber 22. The spring strip 42 is so designed'that it holds the contacts 4I, 39 in engagementuntil the pressure in chamber 22 reaches a predetermined value whereupon the pin is actuated by said pressure to disengage said contacts, thus opening the heating circuit for the liquid 25 and thereby preventing a further rise in pressure within the container I8.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, closure of the manual switch 33 causes rapid vaporization of the liquid 25 within the chamber 2| whereby the pressure therein -moves the septum I9 so as to force the liquid out of chamber 22 into cylinder 35 whereby piston 3B actuates the rod 31 to perform its function. When the desired function has been accomplished, opening of switch 33 stops the vaporization of the liquid 25, whereupon it rapidly condenses, assisted by the heat radiation of the ns 24, whereupon the pressure within the container I8 subsides, and the parts return to idle position either by virtue of the load imposed upon the piston rod 31, or by means of a return spring 46 in the cylinder 35 bearing on the piston 36.

One use to which this form of the invention may be adapted is shown in Fig. 8, wherein the actuator I8 may be mounted on a stationary surface such as a Wall and adapted to open and close a door 20 through a thrust connection including a pressure cylinder 35 and a thrust rod 31. It will be noted that in the linkage' shown the angle between the axis of the thruster 35 and the door strut is flatly obtuse so that the thruster 35 will be under the highest pressure when the linkage is in the most unfavorable position for moving the door.

In Figs. 9, 10 and 11 of the drawing, applicants steam actuated motor is illustrated as incorporated in a system for controlling a sliding member such as a window. As there shown, a steam actuated motor indicated generally by number 5I is mounted at one end on a fixed anchorage 52, the mounting connection being preferably hinged as indicated at 53 in order to providef'or possible misalignment or angular mounting of the reciprocating parts. The motor comprises' a. cylinder 54 closed at its lower end and provided with a cup-shaped boiler chamber 55 containing a small amount of vaporizable liquid 56. An electrical heater 51 is immersed in said liquid and is arranged to be energized by current supplied through a pair of leads 58 and 59. The heater is preferably cylindrical inshape lwith its axis parallel to the axis of the hinge 59, and the boiler chamber 55 is conformed thereto and provided with: flared sides so that the actuator maybe tilted through a large angle while. keeping the heater immersed in the liquid 56. A suit'- able cylindrical heater is illustrated in greater detail at |125 in Fig; 15 and it will be understood that the heater 51 may preferably be of the type illustrated in Fig. 15..

A piston. 6| is slidably mounted in the'I cylinder 54Y so as to be raised by steam pressure generated .ton |52 being provided'. with:A oppositely facing packing cups 63 and 64, andv with a small. bleeder 'opening 55 whereby the pressures on both. sides ofthe piston will be gradually equalized. The upper end of the cylinder 54 is provided with a head 61 formi-ng a.L bearingv guide for a. thrust rod 88 attached to the piston 62. The. head 61 is alsoprovided with a small bleeder opening 6`9 forming; communication between theV upper end of the cylinder 54 and the outsidev atmosphere..

v A window' sash 1'|f is. slidably mountedin. a window casing. 1l,` a: sill 13 of which arranged directly over the cylinder 5'4", and, is perforated and provided with a bearing guide 14' for the thrust rod 88. The upper end of the` rod 68 has a thrustc block iixed thereon: which is adapted to engage the bottom of the'window sash 1| and raise said sash when the piston 6:2 moves upward in the cylinder 54. Preferably bearing 14 is formed to provide a seat for the thrust block 15 so that said thrust block is normally flush with the.I surface of the window sill'.

Means for energizing the heater; 51v isv provided comprising an electrical circuit' for supplying current'to4 the leads; 5t, 59. As here shown, a supply main 161is-connected1to the lead 59 and the other supply mai-n 11 is connected. through a` master switch 18 to a lead 19 which is connected. to a; manual control panel indicated-.generally by numeral 8|. As bestseen4 in Fig. 10, this control panel comprises a pushY button switch 82 andv a pair of contacts 83, 84 in parallel therewith, either of said switching devices being` adapted to connect the lead. '19 to the lead `58l to complete the electrical circuit for the l engagement with the window sash. by' suitable means such. as a spring; 88..

The contact 83' is yieldingly mounted on an` arm 89 which is' also pivoted on the pin 85'- and is `provided with a crank handle 9| which proec'ts vout? from ther window casing for manual operation. Pin 92 defines the idle position oi" the crank 9 l', and aspring 93A yieldingl-y connects said crank with the lock member 81, the spring' 93 being substantially stiffer than .the spring 88 whereby manipulation. of the.- crank in. a counterclockwise direction will first. close contacts. 83, 85 and thereafter applyv force to the locking member 81 to disengage it from. the window sash. The counter-clockwise movement.- of; the crank' 9| is limited by a stop pin 94.

In. the operationl of this' embodiment of the invention,. the master switch 18y being closed, if it. be desired to raise the window sash 1|, the push button 82 is operated to complete the circuit to the heater 51. The liquid; 56 isy thereby rapidly vaporized', causing a pressure in the cylinder 54 which raises the piston 8|, and with it the piston B2 whereby the rod-68 is caused to move upward and raise the window sash by means of thev thrust block 15.. When. the sash has been raised the desired amount, releaseI of the push button 82v causes the heater 51 to `be deenergized whereupon the steam in the Vcylinder 54 condenses andthe two pistons with the rod- 68 return to their idle positions, the sash being: retained in. its raised position by the wedging action of the lock member 81.

Should the windowr be stuck in its lower position so that considerable pressure has to be built Y up before it is forced to move, the actuator may have a tendency to throw the sash upward. This tendency is inhibited by the dashpot action of the air trapped in the upper part of the cylinder 54 which can only escape through the restricted opening B9'.

When. it is desired to lower the window sash, thev crank 9| is manually rotated in a counterclockwise direction up against the stop pin 9.4. This operationr first'closes contacts 83, 84 thus completing the heating circuit,and tensions the spring 93 so as to apply a force to the lock. member 8itending to release it. vAt thisv time, however, the weight of the sash 1| is supported. by the wedging action of the lock so that the lock is held ink engagement with the sash. In a short timehowever, steam. actuator 5| projects the thrust block 1.5 upward into engagement with the bottom of theV sash 1|, thus taking the weight of the sash from the lock member 81. Thisl permits the loch to move into disengaging position as shown in Fig. 1l under theV action. of the spring 93, which opens the contacts 83, 84 thereby' deenergizing the heating' circuit. The consequent subsidence of the steam pressure in the actuator 5| permits the sash to be lowered until the operator releasesthe handle 9| where,- upon the spring 88 causes the lock 81 to reengage the side of theV window sash 1| and prevent further downward movement thereof.

The bleeder opening. 65 in the piston. 62: is pro vided to control the downward movement of the piston. 62' and permit it to come to rest in con"V tact witirthe piston" 6|, when the parts, are in idle position.

In Fig. l2 of the drawing, there is illustrated an embodiment of the invention substantially similar to Fig. 9 but ini'lhisV case the control ofthe window lifter is arranged. tov be eiectuated at any position remote therefrom. The motor itself is: the same as illustrated 'inFig 9, andthe parts thereof are similarly numbered. Inthis case, however', the window sash 95 is' illustrated as of the hingedv type pivoted to a casing at 95 andY having a suitable holding detent' member 91.

The thrust rod 88 is pivoted to the sashA 95 as l shown'at' 98, and locking means` areprovided for comprises a wedging member V95| pivoted at |0| to the cylinder head 61, andY yieldingly pressed into wedging engagement with the rod 68 by means of a spring |02. The lock member 99 is provided with an outwardly extending arm |03 which is of magnetic material and is arranged to be attracted by an electro-magnet |04 which is sufficiently powerful to overcome the spring |02 and hold the lock member 99l in retracted position.

A contact |05 is mounted on the end of the arm |03, insulated therefrom as indicated at |36, and is adapted to engage a cooperating contact |01 when the lock member 99 is in operative position.

The electrical circuit for the heater 51 comprises in this case the supply main liwhich is connected vby lead 59 to one side of the heater, and the supply main 11 which is connected through a push button switch |08 and lead |03 to the heater lead 58 to complete the heating circuit. The push button |98 is accordingly the up button.

A"d own push button switch is connected by a lead to the supply main 11, and by a lead ||2 to the contact |01. Contact |06 is connected by a lead I i3 to the heater lead 58 so that the down button switch H6 and contacts |06, |01 are arranged in a circuit which is shunted around the up button switch |66.

One side of the electro-magnet |04 is connected by a lead ||4 to the supply main 1S, and the other side of the electro-magnet is connected at ||5 to the lead ||2. "In the operation of this embodiment' ofthe invention, starting with the parts in idle posi tion as illustrated, if it is desired to open the window sash 95, the operator closes the up button switch |08 which completes the electrical circuit through the heater 51 thereby boiling the liquid 56 and causing the piston 6| to move the piston 62 and rod 58 so as to raise the sash. When the sash has been opened the desired amount, release of the push button |68 allows the steam pressure to subside whereupon the a piston 6| returns to idle position, but piston 62 and rod 68 are held in adjusted position by the lock member 99.

When it is desired to lower the window, closure of the down push button switch ||0 causes energization of the heater 51 through contacts |06, |01, and at the same time energizes the electro-magnet |04. The latter, however', is unable to release the lock 99 due to the wedging action of the weight of the window sash. When the pressure in the motor 5| has been built up sufficiently, the piston 6| lifts the'weight of the sash from the lock member 99, thus permitting the electro-magnet |04 to retract said member, at the saine time opening contacts |06, |01. The heating circuit is thereby broken, whereupon the pressure within the motor diminishes, permitting the window to be lowered. The lowering of the window will continue until the down button ||0 is released by the operator, thus deener gizing the electro-magnet |04. The lock 99 thereupon reengages the rod 68 under the action of the spring |02, and immobilizes the window.

In Figs. 13, i4 and 15, applicants steam actuated motoris illustrated in a form adapted to produce continuous reciprocatory movement to perform the functions ofa pump. As there shown, the motor comprises a cylinder I6 which is divided by a partition ||1 into a lower chamber |8 and an upper chamber I 9. @Che partie vmember |22.

tion/I |13 has av central opening I2| therethrough which is arranged to be closed by a check valve A boiler inthe form of a cupshaped member '|23 is arranged beneath the check-valve |22. The opening of the cup is surrounded by a ange |24 so arranged'that liquid flowing down from the upper chamber will iill the boiler cup.

An electricalheater |25, best shown in Fig.

15, is mounted in the cup |23 for the purpose of |29 threaded through the walls of the actuator.

The bushings |28, |29 are slightly larger in exterior diameter than the outside diameter of the heater |25 whereby removal of the bushings per'- mits the heater to be Withdrawn axially from the motor for convenient service or replacement.

The lower portions of chambers H8, ||9 are connected by a by-pass conduit |3| which conduit may be provided with cooling iins |32 to accelerate the cycling of the device. A piston |33 is slidably mounted in the upper chamber I9 and is provided with any suitable form of packing. As here illustrated, the packing functionv is performed by a flexible septum |34 which is attached to the piston and is clamped beneath the cylinder head |35 which forms the closure for the upper chamber H9. An inlet fitting |36 with a check valve |31 and an outlet fitting |38 with a check valve |39 are mounted in the cylinder'head |35 whereby reciprocation of the piston |33 'causes liquid to be alternately admitted 'through the inlet |36 and ejected througnthe outlet "138.

Means for automatically controlling 4the heater v|25 are providedin the form of an electrical .rod to" project radially therefrom; Adjustable stop members |49 and 15| are threaded on the ends 0f the member |45 in position to be engaged by the out-turned end |46 of rod |46 as the piston |33 .approaches the end of its stroke. The member |45 is thus caused to move axiallya short distance toV alternately connect and disconnect theV contacts 40, |4| through the contact '144.-' The' electrical circuit which energizes the heater |25 comprises a supply main l|52, lead |53 connected to binding post |26 of the heater, lead |54 connected to heater binding post |21,

normally 'open relay contacts |55, |56, lead |51,

manual switch |58 and supply main |59.

Means for controlling the relay contacts |55', |56 is provided in the form of an electro-magnet |6| connected at |62 to the supply main |52, and by a lead |63 to the control switch binding post |43. Binding post |42 is connected by a lead |64 to a high-pressure circuit breaker' |65. This circuit breaker comprises contacts |66, |61 which are normally closed but which are opened by a plunger |68 responsive to excessive pressure within the chamber H8. The relay circuit is completed by a lead |69 which connects the circuit breaker to the supply lead |51.

In the operation of this embodimentoftheir):-

i9 vention, at `the startof the p'ower stroke'as illustra-ted in yFig. 13., the check valve =|22 is open, the Alfieater is deenergized, the Alower chamber ||'8 is substantially lled with liquid, and the piston |33 is at'the bottom of its stroke, the charnber ||9 above the .piston being lled `with 'liquid Vto be pumped. Closurefof the switch |58 causes energization 'of the relay4 |5| since contacts |48, |41, |44 are closed. VClosure of relay contacts |55, |56 causes energization of the .heater |25, whereupon the liquid Ywithin the boiler cup |23 quickly assumes a state of violent `ebullitionl The evolved steam pushes the-check valve |22 'up against the opening |21| `in 'the .partition l il 1, vand the vconsequ .`e"nt' t'ral'ioingfof the steam in the upp'e'r part 'of the chamber ||'8 causes the liquid therein to be forced ont through the :by-.pass `|.3'| into the lower part of the upper chamber .ifi-9, causingithe piston |33l to move upward and force the liquid above th'e' l'piston out through the outlet |38. During this stroke, the friction encountered by the liquid flowing through the by-pass 13| provides suii'icient Ldifferential in pressure between the lower and upper chambers to hold the check valve |22 firmly seated against the partition ||1.

When the piston |33 approaches1 the end ci Tits stroke, the end |48'of the rod |46 engagesthe 'stop member |49, nthus raising the cylinder 145 and breaking the-connection between contacts |40, |4|.l The relay i6-I 'is'tliu's deenergized, causing contacts |-55,"|56 toopen and permit the heater |25 to -cocl off. Y l y As soon as the pressure fin the lower chamber becomes equalized with the pressure in the upper chamber, 'the check valve |232 falls, thus per-mitting the liquid in the upper chamber to flow-down into the lower -chamber condensing the steam therein and refilling the bilerc'u-p |23. The consequent further vreduction in `1prssure causes' the piston |33 to be moved down to the lower end of its stroke, whereupon the end |48 of the rod |46 engages the lower stop |5| and moves the contact |44 into engagement with contacts |40, |4|, whereupon a new pumping cycle is started. The pumping operation therefore continues so, long v as the manual switch |58 remains closed.

Condensation of the steam in the lower chamber at the surface of the liquid therein during the power stroke has not been found to be of serious consequence. If, however, it be desired to reduce such condensation, this may be accomplished by the use of a floating diaphragm in the lower chamber such as indicated at When the cooling ns |32 are used on the bypass |3|, the temperature of the liquid is kept down, whereby the condensing elect of the liquid during the inlet stroke of the pump is accelerated, thus increasing the rapidity of the pumping operation.

Although certain embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other embodiments are possible and various changes may be made in the design and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention. as dened in the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. Means for transforming electrical energy into mechanical force including a chamber containing a small amount of vaporizable liquid, electrical heating means for said liquid, a cylinder adjacent the chamber, a piston in said cylinder movable by the pressure generated by vaporization of the liquid by the heating current,

l0 means for controllingxthe heating current sto thereby control :actuation of the piston, Vafsec- 0nd,;piston in V.the cylinder adapted -to Y be moved by the rst piston, VVmeans including a rod connecting the xsecond :piston vtoa load, locking :means preventing r reti-n n imo-vement of the -load after actuation ,-thereof, and mea-ns for vreleasing the lock,,including,further `a closure l-for the cylinder having a restricted opening :cooperating with said 'second piston to act as a'dashpot to control the return `movement 1of, lthe load.

y2. Means for transforming electrical lenergy into mechanical-force including a chamber containing -a Ismail amount vfof vaporizable viliquid, electrical heating fmeansgfor said liquid, -a cylinder adjacent the .fc-hamber, a piston vin said cylinder movable by the pressure generated 'by vaporization of the =liquid y'by the heating `*currt-nt, means Jfor controlling,the heating currentto thereby c'ontrol .actuation of the ,'piston, a/second `pi'sztoqui'n theV cylinder adapted to `-be inoved by the rst piston, means includingga rod icon-- nect'ing the 'second piston to aload, vlocking means :preventingreturn -rnovement o'f the lo'ad after actuation thereof, and :means for releasing the lock, including further ineans for closing the heating circuit and applying lIforce to the lock to release it, and 'meansres'pcnsive .to release of the lock Vfor opening the heating circuit.

3. In vva `.deviceior actuating a Emovable meinb'er, a cylinder havinga `small quantity ofva'- porizable liquid therein, Van electrical, heating means `for vaporizing said iiquid', a piston in the cylinder adapted to `the v-rnoved by the vapor .prese sui-e therein, means for transmitting the move; ment -of the piston to `said movable inembena lock preventing return movement :of said' `inember, Van electrical circuit for said heating Vimeans including a manual switch, land a zshunt :circuit for rsaid heatingA including a pair ci ,cone tacts so associated with said lock that release of the lock opens said contacts; including further, manually controlled means for applying force to the lock tending to release it, and at the same time closing the shunt circuit to energize the heating means. i,

4. In a device for actuating a movable member, a cylinder having a small quantity of vaporizable liquid therein, an electrical heating means for Vaporizing said liquid, a piston in the cylinder adapted to be moved by the vapor pressure therein, means for transmitting the movement of the piston to said movable member, a

lock preventing return movement of said member, an electrical circuit for said heating means including a manual switch, and a shunt Acircuit for said heating means including a pair of contacts so associated with said lock that release of the lock opens said contacts, in which said contacts are normally closed, and the shunt circuit includes a second manual switch; and

'electromagnetic means controlled by said second manual switch for applying a force tending to release the lock and open said contacts.

5. A steam actuated pump including a container having an upper chamber and a lower chamber separated by a fixed partition having an opening therethrough, a check valve preventing now of liquid up through the opening, an

duit having an outlet check-valve, both conduits being connected to the upper part of the upper chamber, a vaporizable liquid in the lower chamberfand boiler, and an electrical circuit for vaporizing liquid in the boiler whereby closure of the rst mentioned check valve causes the vapor pressure produced by the boiler to force the vaporizable liquid through the rst mentioned conduit into the upper chamber beneath said piston so as to force the piston upwardly.

6. A steam actuated pump as set forth in claim in which said electrical heating circuit includes contacts, and means for opening said contacts when the movable piston approaches the end ,of 4its upward stroke, and for closing said contacts when it approaches the end of its downward stroke. A

'7. A steam actuated pump as set forth in claim 5 inwhich said boiler is in the form of a cup located beneath the opening in the fixed partition so as to be iilled by liquid pouring through the opening.

8. A steam actuated pump as set forth in claim 5 in which said conduit is constricted so that when liquid is passing therethrough from the lower chamber to the upper chamber, there will be a differential in pressure between said chambers suflicient to hold said check valve closed.

9. Asteam actuated pump as set forth in claim 5 .inV which' said boiler comprises a cylindrical heater element traversing the chamber, and mounting and packing means therefor in the opposite sides of the container which are at least as large in diameter as said heater element so that removal of the mounting means permits withdrawal and replacement of the element through the side wall of the container.

10. In a steam actuated motor for moving a member to be adjusted, a cylinder, a piston slidably mounted therein, an electrically heated I2 boiler in the cylinder, a small quantity of v`aporizable liquid in the cylinder in-contact with said boiler arranged when vaporized to move the piston away from the boiler; means cooperating with said piston to form a dashpot controlling the movement of the piston, locking means holding the member in adjusted position, kan

electrical circuit for heating the boiler includeA ing a manual switch, means including an electromagnet for releasing the locking means, and means for energizing the electromagnet including a second manual switch.

11. A steam-actuated motor vas set forth in claim 10 including further means whereby closure of the second manual switch completes an electrical circuit for heating the boiler, and means whereby release of the locking means breaks said heating circuit.

JOHN W. DICKEY.V

REFERENCES CITED f The following references are of record in the file of this patent;

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